Delhi statehood debate: We’ll take back our rights over next 5 years, says Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Putting the full statehood issue in PM Narendra Modi’s court, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Monday evening said decision on whether the Capital will be given recognition as a full state with its police under the state government’s control can only be decided by Modi. Speaking with supporters at Central Park in Connaught Place, Kejriwal was responding to a question from the audience.
"I wish it could be done tommorow (getting Delhi status of a full state and bringing city police under state government control). Answers to both these questions are with PM Narendra Modi," he said.
Responding at greater length to another, similar question about how he plans to govern without too many powers, Kejriwal explained that he had met Modi after taking over. "We told (Modi) that your party has been fighting for full statehood. Our party also wants full statehood. Let’s work together for Delhi but they could not digest their defeat at our hands. But we did not expect them to act this way," he said.
that the AAP is now obliged to fight them for the rest of their term to get back rights "snatched away" by the centre. "Over the next five years, we will take back many rights which have been taken away from us," Kejriwal said.